Ignition electrode device for gas burners



March 2o, 1951 w. B. ENSIGN' ET AL 2,545,945

` IGNITION ELECTRODE DEVICE FOR GAS BURNERS Filed Deo. 5, 1948 mi INVENTORS A zf//l/l/Z/l// WILLIAM B. ENSIGN El-7]] 65 By OTTO MLDERMANN Patented Mar. 20, 1951 IGNITIGN ELECTRODE DEVICE 'FOR GAS BURNERS William B. Ensign, New Rochelle, N. Y., and Otto Wildermann, 1River Edge, N. J.

Application `December 3, 1948, Serial No. g63,2.66

8 Claims. l

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in gas burner adjuncts, and more particularly, the aim is to provide a novel and improved electrically operated spark-ignition means for gas burners and such a means which is especally valuable for use in connection with baking ovens of the large capacity and efficient type employed in baking establishments and otherwise industrially.

The type of Agas burner with which the ignition means of the present invention is adapted to function v.with marked advantage is one wherein the burner orifices consist of a multiplicity of closely spaced openings along a plurality of crimped or corrugated metal bands or ribbons and between the ribbons and at opposite sides @fra pair or stack thereof, thereby to obtain the various 'beneficial results set forth in U. S. Patent No. 2,210,069 issued to us, A burner of this kind has come to be known in the art as a `band oven burner.

The use of a band oven burner so constituted that the number of burners in an oven of va given capacity may be considerably reduced (with a corresponding` reduction of burner accessories) r.as further taught yincur copending U. S. patent application Ser. No. 9525 filed February 19, 1948 is obviously important, for the reason just indicated, and because, further, for each burner eliminated, the necessary oven sleeve, extended through a Wall portion of the oven and thro-ugh which the burner must pass, is also eliminated. The more oi these kstructures that can be eliminated, the less heat loss will result. Reduction of heat loss, to the maximum extent possible, naturally is desirable; and is actually, as a matter of fact, essential to perfect control of the baking temperature and to the maintenance of a uniform temperature throughout the oven interior, for producing a standard baked product. Needless to say, the saving of fuel is likewise an important although a secondary advantage. Moreover, not only does a reduction in the number of burners result in a reduction in the number of ignition devices required, with consequent lowering of the initial installation cost, but the maintenance troubles and expense are correspondingly diminished. However, with dual burners used such as disclosed in the patent application last referred to, a completely dependably operating ignition means is a necessity.

According to the present invention, there is provided an electrically operated ignition means which is highly efficient and of unusual operational dependabilityand -so especially adapted for '2 use even .with a-dual lband burner; the new ignition means being characterized by its structureA ally self-complete nature, its insulatedly conductive interior, its ready and varied adjustability in regard to its sparking electrode, its capacity to be given good connection .to -a current supply line, and its easy mountability on and Vfor p rojection through the oven-wall carrying the associated burner, and this last in a Way t0 hOld down heat loss at the place of mounting of said ignition means.

An important advantage of the present electrode is that it is Amechanically and dielectrically strong andof simple =construction 4for use in come binaton With the Aburner plateel ec,t10 de holder and burner inea manner to form a very desirable unit for industrial ovens, especially for the bak.- ing industry.

A further advantage of ane-ectrodeconstruct.- ed in accordance lwith the present invention is that it Ymay be readily installed and removed without disturbing any-other parts of the oven; such as the oven plates, burners and so on;

Still another advantage of the electrode constructed in accordance with, the present invenf tion is that the Nichrome tip may be adjustedso that when the entire assembly is installed, :it is held by an electrode bracket mounted on the burner -v/ith a stop vwhich prevents .the .electrode from being advanced beyond kthe predetermined point.

Another Vobiet or" `the present invention pro.- poses Vforming the Nichrome tip `so that itcanfbe adjusted with relation'to the burner without making any changes in the construction @of the electrode as semblyin a manner s o that practically all .of Ythe Nchrome tip may be usadas the tip thereof fbecomeS burned Qff.

The inventionfurther proposes the construe? tion of an electrode which rcan be usedffor V.other types oflburners other than the new conventional over burner of Vthefmultiple or long running Viiame type.

It is iurther object :of AVthe present invention to construct a sparking electrode for use `with a gas-tired oven which is simple and durable and which can be manufactured and 'sold ata reasonable cost. v

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, rer;- erence vvill be had .to .the following .description and accompanyingrdrawngs, and to the append- .ed claimsin which ,the various lnovel features ,of

the invention are more p articularlysetforth. 1

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view, partially broken away, showing a typical oven wall construction, and also a burner and a now preferred embodiment of the new ignition means extended through said wall construction for entry into the oven. v

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of portions of said burner and ignition means at their ends adjacent to said wall construction.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section, as though taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, but showing a different type of attaching bracket for the electrode end of the ignition means.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing said ignition means in association with a slightly different form of burner and with said electrode inclined toward the burner at a different angle from that indicated in Fig. 2.

` Fig. 5 is a view partly in side elevation but mainly in axial section of the barrel or longcartridge type ignition means of the invention, and showing details of one now favored interior construction for such unit.

Fig. 6 is a transverse section, taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is a view similar to Fig. 5; but showing details of another now favored interior construction for said unit.

Fig. 8 is an end elevation of a ceramic insulator.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary side elevation View, Ashowing a diierent kind of oven wall, another possible mounting of a unit pursuant to the invention in relation to said wall and to a burner of another type than that indicated in Figs. l, 2 and 4, and an elbow conduit for use as an auxiliary to the unit.

i Fig. 10 is an enlarged exploded perspective View, showing certain of the parts in Fig. 9.

' Fig. 11 is a section taken on the line Il-II of Fig. 10.

Referring to the drawings more in detail, and rst to Fig. l, the aforesaidoven end wall construction, as a'whole marked l5, includes spaced walls i6 and I1. Mounted between the two walls l`I6 and l1 there is a tubular sleeve I9 suitably `secured to both walls, as indicated, in regard to -the wall I1, at 20.

An end plate 2l, suitably attached to the wall I6 at the exterior thereof,

"carries a device 22 for controlling the richness iof the combustion mixture and having a suitable aperture for affording a connection between a pipe 23 and a gas supply line not shown but having a cock to be turned for starting the sup- -ply of gas and for adjustment to obtain a desired rate of gas supply. Said pipe 23 leads to an -end of a burner 24. The burner 24 shown is "one of the kind last hereinabove discussed, having vertically spaced side flanges 25 for providing ftherebetween a line of corrugated-band-established burner orifices 26.

The new ignition means, as a whole marked ,21, includes, as best shown in Figs. 5 and 6, a ,cylindrical metal tube 28, desirably of stainless zlsteel, a ceramic insulator 29, and another ceramic insulator 30. The insulator 29 has a central bore 3l of a cross-section for slidably receiving la brass or other suitably metallic rod 32 threaded 4at opposite ends. 'main portion of its length is similarly bored, as at 33, for also receiving said rod. This bore 33 'is enlarged to provide an annular shoulder 34 The insulator 36 along the against which may be'abutted the inner end of a cylindrical member 35, desirably of stainless steel although practicable of use when made of brass or the like. The tube 28 and the rod 32 can be made in various lengths and be interchangeable to adjust the device to oven walls of different thicknesses.

At one end the member 35 has extended axially thereof a recess 36 internally threaded to match a threaded end of the rod 32. Coaxial with this recess said member 35 has a bore 31 of smaller diameter than the bore 3l and extending to the opposite end of said member 35; this bore 31 for receiving the sparking electrode 36, which latter is desirably made of a high resistance and high melting point metal such as Nichrome.

At the threaded end of the rod opposite to its end threadedly connected to the member 35, said rod carries a washer 39 of the familiar type having around its inner periphery a circumferentially spaced series of slightly canted teeth, and beyond said washer, a nut 4B and an internaly threaded terminal 4I. The insulator 29, at its face against which is to lie said washer, has two oppositely located and radially extending recesses, these marked 42 in Fig. 6. Thus, on tightening the nut 4U, the two insulators 29 and 30 clamped tightly at the annular flanges thereon intermediate the ends thereof against the ends of the tube 23, thereby properly holding in position the rod 32; and twisting of said rod relative to the member 35 is prevented, during tightening of said nut, by entry of washer teeth yinto said recesses 42.

As ventilation means, the tube 28 is apertured at points spaced 90 apart therearound; three of such apertures being indicated at 43 in Fig. 5. While the breathing apertures 43 are shown adjacent the outer end of the tube 28, they may be formed anywhere along the length thereof.

For anchoring in a desired degree of protrusion the outer length of the electrode 38, the projected end lof the member 35 is provided radially with a tapped hole, and the latter carries an Allen-type set-screw 44.

With the end portion of the ignition unit which carries the terminal 4| extended through a suitable aperture in the conventional oven plate 45 (Fig. 1) mounted on the plate 2l, the opposite end of said unit is cradled in a bracket 46 having a leaf 4l at which the bracket is secured as indicated at a desired location on the burner 24. The major portion of said bracket is shaped to provide a curl or cradle 8 cut away near its free end portion to provide a longitudinally curved claw 49. Thereby the ignition unit 21 is securely held in the exactly correct position to which it will have been adjusted for delivering an ignition spark to the gas allowed to make exit from the burner at its orices 26, from current supplied to the rod 32 by way of a supply wire attached at the terminal 4l. This shape of the bracket 46 also provides a clear view of the electrode tip so that the spark and the burner flame can be seen.

Referring to Fig. 3, this shows a burner 50 of a type other than the burner 24 having secured ythereto as indicated a bracket 5I for the adjacent end of the ignition unit 2li; which bracket, constructed according to the principle embodied in the bracket 46, is modified in that its attaching leaf corresponding to the leaf 4l' is offset laterally from the cradle corresponding to the cradle 48, and also permits the spark and burner flame to be viewed.

Referring to Fig. 4, with the same parts here 'shown as in Fig. 2, but with the burner, here marked 52, having wider 4-il'anges k5'3 than the anges 25, this illustrates a different angle of inclination of the electrode F38 toward the burner than inthe caseof Fig. -2. It iis to ,be emphasized that the said electrode Ais contemplated to .be bent, i-f necessary, in `any -appropriate .direction and fat any ang-le, but always so -as 'to have its sparking point, as at its tip, so flocatedas to have the emitted 'spark leap to the burner at a `point properly :adjacent to -a desired group -of the ori- 'ces 26.

lReferring next to Figs. '7 and 8, the new ignition means Aas here shown is as a Whole marked 5d.. The tube corresponding to the tube 2B is designated 55. The two insulators, also -desirably lof ceramic material, are respectively shown at 56 `and 5-1. These are in -principle of construction `similar to the linsulators 29 vand 30, but of dimenlsions lengthwisely thereof somewhat different fromsaid insulators '2S and 3D -it being noted that While 'the insulator Y3l) is of greater over-all length than the insulator 29, the two insulators `5; and 51areof the same over-all length and of the same 'external contour. Thus each of the insulators v56 'and 51 is alike in that each has, at one side of the exterior of its cylindrical portion of next to the largest diameter 'an `elongated recess; such 'recess marked 58 in the case of the insulator 56 and 58' inthe case of the 'insulator '51. Consequently, Fig. 8, as indicated by the additional parenthetical reference numerals there applied, may be taken as an end'elevation of the insulator 56, looking toward .the left in Fig. 7, or as an vend 'elevation of the insulator 51, looking toward the `right in Fig. 7. For interlocking with the recesses 58 and 58 of the insulators 56 and 51, the tube55 has instruck teats 59 and 59', thereby to vhold said insulator against rotating in vthe tube 'incidental totighteningup Vof a nut to clamp the two insulators against the ends ofthe tube; it being explained that in all other respects except those just'noted vthe structure of Figs. 1 and 8 is Vexactly like 'that of Figs. 5 and 6, and vboth include the same parts 32, 36, 38, 39, 40 and VIUI, while the insulator v56 is internally formed as is the insulator 29 and the insulator51 isinternally Aformed as :is lthe insulator 30.

In Figs. 5 and`6, and also'in Figs. 7 and 8, the

Vparts have been drawn to substantially vfull scale; Vwith the length of the tube in each case ranging,

for the usual installation, from about 11"" to about 18" or other desiredlengths.

ReferringiinallytOFigS. 9 and 10,'the'plate 60 c orresp'onds'to the plate 2l .of Fig. 1. The burner is indicatedat 6l, and a conical gas feed pipe therefor is designated 62. The ignition unitis .as a whole marked 63, and may be taken as corresponding either to the unit 21 or the unit 54. Abracket'65 is shown as comprising an 'attaching base having offset therefrom a ring portion for tted therein `the .perimetral surfaces of `the nut of the ignition unit 63 corresponding'to the nut 4'0. While Vwe vhave illustrated 'and described the preferred embodiments of our invention, `it is to :be understood that we do `not limit ourselves to .the precise constructions herein ldisclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope Aof the invention as `delined in the appended claims.

Having thus `described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to vsecure by United States Letters Patent isz:

1. A `sparking .electrode for use with yan oven vhaving spaced walls with a tubular sleeve 'mounted in one of the Walls 'and closed at its outer end by kan oven plate and a gas burner Vextended eccentrically through .the oven plate. comprising an elongated tube adapted to .be lmounted through thegoven plate Valong side .the lgas burner, vtubular insulators closing the -ends of Vsaid tube, a rod of conductive Vmaterial extended through said tubular insulators, said '.rod `having its end vat the outer end 'of said tube extended from the respective insulator for Vattachment to a conductor wire, a bracket adapted to be mounted on the burner for supporting the inner end of said tube, a cylindrical member mounted on the 'inner endof said rod within .the inner insulator, a sparking tip having one -end inserted -into said cylindrical member and its other end adapted to be extended therefrom towards the burner, and means for holding the sparking tip in various longitudinal adjusted positions relative to said cylindrical member permitting the position of said tip with relation to the burner to be adjusted as the'end thereof becomes burned away during use.

2. A gas burner igniting device comprising an elongated tube, an insulatorhaving aportion pro.- jected into oneend of said tube, a second insulator having a portion projected into the other end of said tube, said rst insulator having a bore extended concentrically therethrough, said second insulator having a concentric bore of a diameter corresponding to the'diameter of the bore of said iirst insulatorv extended in from its inner end to a point midway of its length, said second insulator having a concentric bore of a diameter larger than its rst borefextended inward from its outer end and meeting its -rst bore forming a shoulder between said bores of different diameter in Ysaid Ysecond insulator, a tubular member for mounting a sparkingelectrode extended into said bore of larger diameter in said second linsulator and abutting said shoulder, said tubular member being formed in its inner end with a threaded recess in end alignment with the vbore of smaller diameter formed in said second insulator, a rod having a threaded end -passed through the bores of corresponding diameter formed in said insulators and threaded into -said threaded recess in said tubular member, said `rod having its other end threaded and projected beyond the outer end of said rst insulator, said insulators having external shoulders abutting the opposite ends of said elongated tube, and a nut threaded onto the threaded other end of said rod and abutting the said outer end of said liirst insulator for drawing on said rod to hold said tubular member in engagement with the internal'shoulder of said second insulator and said external shoulders of said insulators in engagement with the ends-of said elongated tube.

3. A gas burner igniting device comprising an elongated tube, an insulator having aportion pro- Yjected into one end of said tube, a second insu'- latorihaving a portion projected Ainto the other yendof said tube, said first insulator having a ausgew bore extended concentrically therethrough, said second insulator having a concentric bore of a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the bore of said first insulator extended in from its inner end to a point midway of its length, said second insulator having a concentric bore of a diameter larger than its first bore extended inward from its outer end and meeting its first bore forming a shoulder between said bores of different diameterv in said second insulator, a tubular member for mounting a sparking electrode extended into said bore of larger diameter in said second insulator and abutting said shoulder, said tubular member being formed in its inner end with a threaded recess in end alignment with the bore of smaller diameter formed in said second insulator, a rod having a threaded end passed through the bores of corresponding diameter formed in said insulators and threaded into said threaded recess in said tubular member, said rod having its other end threaded and projected beyond the outer end of said first insulator, said insulators having external shoulders abutting the opposite ends of said elongated tube, and a nut threaded onto the threaded other end of said rod and abutting the said outer end oi said rst insulator for drawing on said rod to yhold said tubular member in engagement with the internal shoulder of said second insulator and said external shoulders of said insulators in engagement with the ends of said elongated tube, said insulators being formed of ceramic material.

4; A gasA burner igniting device comprising an elongated tube, an insulator having a portion projected into one end of said tube, a second insulator having a portion projected into the other end of said tube, said rst insulator having a bore extended concentrically therethrough, said second insulator having a concentric bore of a diameter corresponding to the diameter oi the bore of said rst insulator extended in from its inner end ito a point midway of its length, said second insulator having a concentric bore of a diameter larger than its iirst bore extended inward from its outer end and meeting its first bore forming a shoulder between-said bores of different diameter in said second insulator, a tubular member for mounting a sparking electrode extended into ysaid bore of larger diameter in said second insulator and abutting said shoulder, said tubular member being formed in its inner end with a threaded recess in end alignment with the bore Aof smaller diameter formed in said second insulator, a rod having a threaded end passed .through theV bores of corresponding diameter formed in said insulators and threaded into said threaded recess in said tubular member, said rod -having its other end threaded and projected beyond the outer end of said rst insulator, said insulators having external shoulders abutting the opposite ends of said elongated tube, and a `nutfthreaded` onto the threaded other end of said -rod and abutting the said outer end of said rst insulator for drawing on said rod to hold said tubular member in engagement with the internal `shoulder of said second insulator and said external shoulders of said insulators in engagement with thev ends of said elongated tube, said elongated tube being formed with breathing apertures closely adjacent said iirst insulator.

5. A gas burner-igniting device comprisingan elongated tube, an insulator having a portion `projected into one end of said tube, a second in- Asulator having a portion projected into the other wendgof saidtube,` said first insulator having aL bore extended concentrically therethrough,fsaid second insulator having a concentric bore-ofa diameter corresponding to the diameter of the bore of said first insulator extended in fromits inner end to a point midway of its length, said second insulator having a concentric bore of a diameter larger than its first bore extended-inward from its outer end and meeting its rst bore forming a shoulder between said bores of different diameter in said second insulator, a tubular member for mounting a sparking electrode extended into said bore o1" larger diameter in said second insulator and abutting said shoulder, said tubular member being formed in its inner end with a threaded recess in end alignment with the bore of smaller diameter formed in said second insulator, a rod having a threaded end passed through the bores of corresponding diameter' formed in said insulators-and threaded into lsaid threaded recess in said tubular member, saidvrod having its other end threaded and projected be'- yond the outer end of said rst insulator, said insulators having external shoulders abutting the opposite ends of said elongated tube, and a nut threaded onto the threaded other end of said rod and abutting the said outer end of said rst in,- sulator for drawing on said rod to hold said tubular member in engagement with the internal shoulder of said second insulator and said ex*- ternal shoulders of said insulators in engagement with the ends of said elongated tube, and means for retaining said insulators against rotation relative to said elongated tube.

6. A gas burner igniting device comprising an elongated. tube, an insulator having aportion projected into one end'of said tube, a second in sulator having a portion projected into the other end of said tube, said first `insulator having a bore extended concentrically therethrough, said second insulator having a concentric bore of a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the bore of said rst insulator extended in from its inner end to a point midway of its length, said second insulator having a concentric bore of a ,diameter larger than `its first bore extended in,- ward from its outer end and meeting its nrst bore forming a shoulder between said bores of diierent diameter in said second insulator, a-tubular member for mounting a sparking electrode extended into said bore of larger diameter in said second insulator and abutting said shoulder, said tubular member being formed in its inner end with a threaded recess in end alignment with the vbore of smaller diameter formed in said second insulator, a rod having a threaded end passed through the bores of corresponding diameter formed in said insulators and threaded into said and abutting the said outer end of said rst insulator for drawing on said rod to hold said tubular member in engagement with the internal shoulder of said second insulator and said external shoulders of said insulators in engagement with the ends oi said elongated tube, said insulators being'formed with recesses extendedoutward from their inner ends, and teats formed on the ends of said elongated tube and engaging said recesses retaining said insulators against rotation relative to said tube.

l'7. A gas burner igniting device comprising an elongated tube, an insulator having a portion projected into one end of said tube, a second insulator having a portion projected into the other end of said tube, said rst insulator having a bore extended concentrically therethrough, said second insulator having a concentric bore of a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the bore of said first insulator extended in from its inner end to a point midway of its length, said second insulator having a concentric bore of a diameter larger than its first bore extended inward from its outer end and meeting its rst bore forming a shoulder between said bores of dierent diameter in said second insulator, a tubular member for mounting a sparking electrode extended into said bore of larger diameter in said second insulator and abutting said shoulder, said tubular member being formed in its inner end with a threaded recess in end alignment with the bore of smaller diameter formed in said second insulator, a rod having a threaded end passed through the bores of corresponding diameter formed in said insulators and threaded into said threaded recess in said tubular member, said rod having its other end threaded and projected beyond the outer end of said rst insulator, said insulators having external shoulders abutting the opposite ends of said elongated tube, and a nut threaded onto the threaded other end of said rod and abutting the said outer end of said rst insulator for drawing on said rod to hold said tubular member in engagement with the internal shoulder of said second insulator and said external shoulders of said insulators in engagement with the ends of said elongated tube, said tube and said rod being interchangeable with tubes and rods of diierent lengths to vary the length of the igniting device. I

8. A gas burner igniting device comprising an elongated tube, an insulator having a portion projected into one end of said tube, a second insulator having a portion projected into the other end of said tube, said first tube having a bore extended concentrically therethrough, said second insulator having a concentric bore of a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the bore of said first insulator extended in from its inner end to a point midway of its length, said second insulator having a concentric bore of a diameter larger than its first bore extended inward from its outer end and meeting its first bore and forming a shoulder between its bores of different diameters, a tubular member for mounting a sparking tip extended into said bore of larger diameter in said second insulator and abutting said shoulder, said tubular member being formed in its inner end with a threaded recess in end alignment with the bore of smaller diameter formed in said second insulator, a rod having a threaded end passed through the bores of oorresponding diameter formed in said insulators and threaded into said threaded recess in said tubular member, means on the other end of said rod for drawing on said rod to hold said tubular member in engagement with the internal shoulder of said second insulator and said insulators in position on the ends of said tube, said tube and said rod being interchangeable with tubes and rods of diierent lengths to Vary the length of the igniting device, a sparking tip having one end inserted into the outer end of said tubular member and its other end directed toward the burner it is to ignite, and means for holding said tip in various longitudinal adjusted positions relative to said tubular member so that the end of said tip may be adjusted with relation to its respective burner as that end becomes burned away during use.

WILLIAM B. ENSIGN. OTTO WILDERMANN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,789,430 Dibble Jan. 20, 1931 1,790,739 Antrim Feb. 3, 1931 1,928,428 Irwin Sept. 26, 1933 2,212,875 Camp Aug. 27, 1940 2,304,200 Plein et al. Dec. 8, 1942 2,423,809 De Lancey July 8, 1947 2,441,284 Parrish May 11, 1948 2,451,369 Yarin Oct. 12, 1948 

